-Combination of a Bavituximab Equivalent and an Agent that Re-Activates the Tumor Suppressor P53 Inhibited Tumor Growth Synergistically in Preclinical Breast Cancer Models-
'This study highlights the broad anti-cancer potential of our anti-PS
vascular targeting platform,' said
Dr. Liang and her colleagues reported on their study of a bavituximab equivalent antibody, 2aG4, in combination with a clinical stage small molecule agent, PRIMA-1. PRIMA-1 restores the normal function of mutant forms of the tumor suppressor p53, enabling it to induce tumor cell death. The combination therapy resulted in additive and synergistic anti-tumor effects in two mouse models of advanced breast cancer, enhancing tumor regression and elimination, while also reducing the incidence of lymph node metastases in some subjects.
Dr. Liang noted, 'These results indicate that PRIMA-1 plus 2aG4 combination therapy has a complementary and potent anti-tumor activity and could define a new strategy for suppression of advanced breast cancers.'
Bavituximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to a phospholipid called phosphatidylserine that is usually located inside normal cells, but which becomes exposed on the outside of the cells that line the blood vessels of tumors, creating a specific target for anti-cancer treatments. Bavituximab helps mobilize the body's immune system to destroy the blood vessels needed for tumor growth and spread. In a Phase lb pilot trial in advanced cancer patients, bavituximab plus chemotherapy appeared to have a safety profile consistent with chemotherapy alone and showed positive signs of clinical activity, achieving objective response or disease stabilization in 50% of the evaluable patients. Peregrine has received regulatory approval to conduct three Phase II trials to study the anti-tumor effects of bavituximab in combination with chemotherapy. These include two breast cancer protocols and a non-small cell lung cancer protocol. One of the bavituximab breast cancer trials is currently enrolling and dosing patients and the two other trials are expected to begin shortly. Bavituximab is in clinical trials in the U.S. in patients with advanced solid tumors and in patients co-infected with HCV and HIV.
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About Peregrine Pharmaceuticals
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative product candidates in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The company is pursuing three separate clinical programs in cancer and HCV infection with its lead product candidates bavituximab and Cotara(R). Peregrine also has in-house manufacturing capabilities through its wholly owned subsidiary Avid Bioservices, Inc. (http://www.avidbio.com), which provides development and bio-manufacturing services for both Peregrine and outside customers. Additional information about Peregrine can be found at http://www.peregrineinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this press release which are not
purely historical, including statements regarding Peregrine Pharmaceuticals'
intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans
or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the
risk that the company will experience delays or difficulties in enrolling
patients in the study, the risk that results from future preclinical studies
and clinical trials will not correlate with the results of these preclinical
studies and the risk that bavituximab will not provide comparable results in
combination with other cancer therapies. It is important to note that the
company's actual results could differ materially from those in any such
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties associated with
completing preclinical and clinical trials for our technologies; the early
stage of product development; the significant costs to develop our products as
all of our products are currently in development, preclinical studies or
clinical trials; obtaining additional financing to support our operations and
the development of our products; obtaining regulatory approval for our
technologies; anticipated timing of regulatory filings and the potential
success in gaining regulatory approval and complying with governmental
regulations applicable to our business. Our business could be affected by a
number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time
in the company's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the annual report
on Form 10-K for the year ended
Contacts:
GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners
Investors Media
info@peregrineinc.com Barbara Lindheim
(800) 987-8256 (212) 918-4650
SOURCE Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.